Bioactive Compound and Functional Properties of Sea Cucumbers as Nutraceutical Products

Indonesia has very rich biological resources and is diverse in both land and sea areas, so it is known as a mega biodiversity country. Sea cucumbers are one of the potential export commodities in the fisheries sub-sector. The use of sea cucumbers in Indonesia as a food ingredient compared to other fishery products is relatively low and less popular because they have low aesthetic value judging from their disgusting physical appearance. This review aims to provide an overview of sea cucumbers’ bioactive compounds and functional properties so that this information will provide a comprehensive perspective in developing sea cucumber-based nutraceuticals. The nutritional content of dried sea cucumbers was 82% protein, 1.7% fat, 8.9% water, 8.6% ash, 4.8% carbohydrates, phosphorus, iron, iodine, sodium, and vitamins A and B (thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin). Bioactive components in sea cucumbers contain collagen, glycosides, polysaccharides, glycosaminoglycans, N-acetylglucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, steroids, lectins, omega-3 fatty acids and phenolic compounds. Sea cucumbers have functional properties such as antioxidative, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, antimicrobial, anti-atherosclerosis, antiosteoporosis, anti-diabetic, antiaging, and anti-obesity. The functional properties provide an excellent opportunity to develop high-value nutraceuticals from sea cucumbers. The main factors for producing and developing nutraceuticals based on sea cucumbers are organoleptic, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability.